Review: Big Bad Bite by Jessie Lane

Big Bad Bite
by Jessie Lane
Series: Big Bad Bite #1
Publication date:  January 28, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
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ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
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What would it be like to live in a world where you are considered abnormal to those who are above the norm? Jenna O’ Conner has been taught her whole life to hide from everyone. Never to let anyone to close enough to know that she would prefer a shotgun for her birthday over of a bouquet of roses. She’s been smothered by her over protective family so that no one learns what she truly is. Which is not human. Nor, is she considered the norm for the supernatural Other community that is benevolent enough to share this world with the humans. In a desperate attempt to live her own life away from the small town she was raised in, Jenna obtains her dream job as the newest member on the Wilmington Police Department’s SWAT Team. What she didn’t predict was that she would run into trouble her first day on the job, in the form of a deadly, mouthwatering man named Adam McPhee. Who is also not human, but more like a wolf walking around in human skin. He’s determined to figure out exactly what Jenna is, which unbeknownst to him, could very well put her life in danger. He’s also determined to have her all to himself.  As if that wasn’t enough for Jenna to deal with, bad news blows into town. A group of extremist Shifters who think humans are cattle and factions of Others worldwide should stay within their own species - never to intermingle. Chaos ensues. Jenna has to find a way to shut them down, but in the process of trying to do that, discovers things about herself that even she never thought was possible. Who said the wolf was what you had to worry about? Welcome to the real world.

I love a good paranormal romance and when you mix in some weres, shifters, demons and vampires I am a happy little reader. Author Jessie Lane asked me to review her novel Big Bad Bite and I am delighted that I did. While it wasn’t perfect, I enjoyed many elements and literally consumed this in a few hours.

The tale begins on the first day of Jenna O’Conner’s job on the Wilmington Police Department’s SWAT Team. They are going into a home to catch a perp for questions into the disappearance of his wife. Jenna and her sergeant are the first to enter, and the assailant has a gun pointed at a chiseled, swoon worthy red-head man named Adam McPhee. Jenna is one hell of a shot and she shoots the perp’s trigger hand forcing the standoff to an end. Job well done, only Jenna has a problem, Adam is staring her down; she immediately recognizes him as a Were, and he is looking at her like he is detecting there is something different about her. They gaze at each other him telling her to submit to his Alpha, but she cannot let him know what she is. Thankfully duty calls and she jumps back into the swat van. Adam needs to know what she is and Jenna has been raised to never reveal she is a hybrid. She is part demon and part wolf. The tale that unfolds is action packed and heavy on the romance as Adam and Jenna come to terms.

Jenna is a total kick-ass with guns and knives and she talks the talk. She is snarky, bold, opinionated and don’t ever get between her and her coffee. She is also vulnerable and I liked the unsure side of her even though she kept it hidden. Then there is her feminine side that loves comfy chairs and frilly things. Thanks to her mother and Uncle she has led a very sheltered life, and only recently let out from under their controlling thumbs. She doesn’t understand pack mentality and has been taught to hide what she is. Adam is smexy and a total Alpha.  He is use to people submitting to him and is both intrigued and terrified of Jenna as she shows no fear. His inner wolf is determined to have her, and Adam is thinking that would be wonderful if Jenna agrees. He wants her but willingly; he doesn’t want to break her fiery will. These two had chemistry from the start, and I liked how gentle he was with her. She struggled but it felt genuine and I was rooting for them. Jenna’s partner Kent is a sex-crazed demon and I cannot wait to learn more about him. We get hints that he  is more than the laid back guy he personifies. We meet a Tiger-shifting family and their antics made me laugh especially the grandmother. Jenna’s brother Logan was sweet, and I loved the banter between them. For the most part everyone was well fleshed out and had distinct voices.

I enjoyed all the threads in the overall arc but felt they were not balanced enough. They were all good but in the middle the focus became primarily the romance and courting of Adam and Jenna. It was hot and believable and I totally got wrapped up in it but I also liked the thread about the shifters that attacked and this thread suffered until the end where the author wrapped things up and sets us up for book two. I also loved the Swat team and while it got Jenna and her partner to plot B I really want to see more. This book is filled with humor and I loved all the snarky banter and sexual innuendo and tension. I laughed aloud throughout the entire book and all of the characters were lovable. So I guess what I am trying to say is: this was a wonderful start to the series. I will continue reading as I truly enjoyed the tale but I am hoping for more balance in the plot threads.

I recommend Big Bad Bite to fans of paranormal romance and urban fantasy featuring weres, shifters and the supernatural. The romance reminded me of Mercy and Adam which is totally a good thing. Walk on the Striped Side will be released sometime in 2013 and will feature Gage and Elena’s story. I am looking forward to it.

Three cups of cinnamon spice coffee out of five